Hydraulically operated work disposing table



April 26, 1960 R. F. DEHN 2,933,966

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WORK DISPOSING TABLE Filed March 29, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. For E DEHN BY April 26, 1960 R. F. DEHNHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WORK DISPOSING TABLE Filed March 29, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR Roy F. DEH/v v April 26, 1960 R. F. DEHN2,933,956

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WORK DISPOSING TABLE I Filed March 29, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 3 /06 v I 95 I03 me I L l l mmmlmnlmnm A4 vhlnummflu ($2IffViINTOR.

Ray OEHN ATMNeYS April 26, 1960 R. F. DEHN 2,933,965

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WORK DISPOSING TABLE Filed March 29, 1957 4Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. For E OEHN Arm/vs s United States PatentHYDRAULICALLY OPERATED WORK DISPOS- ING TABLE Roy F. Dehn, Wickiilfe,Ohio, assignor to The Cleveland Crane 8: Engineering Company, Wicklifie,Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application March 29, 1957, Serial No.649,555 2 Claims. (Cl. 83-373) The present invention relates'to a sheetcutting apparatus and, more particularly, to a shear press having atable for supporting a section of the sheet material.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved shear press having a movable knife, a gauge memberdisplaced to one side of the knife and against which the length ofmaterial to be severed is measured, and a table for supporting thematerial extending from the knife to the gauge member to facilitate theaccurate gauging and shearing of sheet material to be severed intosections, particularly sheet material sufliciently thin as to bend orflex if not supported substantially throughout its length, the shearbeing so constructed and arranged that the table is moved with theknife, when a severing operation occurs, to prevent un-. due distortionof sheet material from a gauging position to a position where thesevered material thereon is dischargeable past the gauge member and ismaintained in this position for a length of time suflicient to permitthe severed material to be discharged past the gauge member.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new andimproved shear press having a fixed knife and a cooperating movableknife displaced to one side of the fixed knife, a table for supportingsheet material on the one side of the fixed knife, and fluid pressureresponsive means for holding the table in a position for supportingmaterial level with the fixed knife and for moving the table, uponactuation of the movable knife, to a deflected position to prevent unduedistortion of the sheet material.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a new andimproved shear press having a movable,

knife actuatable to perform a severing operation, a table for supportingmaterial extending to one side of the knife,

and a gauge member adjacent the top of the table against which theextending material is abutted to gauge the length of material to besevered, the press being so constructed and arranged that the portion ofthe table supporting the material during the gauging operation ismovable and is normally held in a gauging position and upon actuation ofthe severing mechanism is moved to a position where the severed materialthereon is dischargeable past the gauge member and is returned togauging position after a predetermined time, the movements of the tablebeing controlled by fluid pressure actuated mechanism and the tablepreferably including power driven rollers actuated when a severingoperation occurs to discharge the severed material past the gauge memberand from the table.

The invention resides in certain constructions, combinations andarrangement of parts and further objects and advantages will be apparentto those skilled in the art to which it relates from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiment described with reference to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of'a shear press embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the press ofFig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken approximately along line 33 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately along line55.of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a simplified electrical diagram showing a portion of thecontrol circuit for the press.

While the present invention is susceptible of various modifications andconstructions and of uses with various types of sheet cutting apparatus,it is herein shown and embodied in a shear press of the type shown inPatent 2,759,582 to Roy F. Dehn. Since the shear shown herein is similarto the shear shown and described in the aforesaid patent, only thoseparts of-the shear which are necessary to a complete understanding ofthe present invention are herein shown and described in detail andreference is made to the aforesaid patent for a complete showing anddescription of the other parts of the shear.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character A designates a framecomprising stress-resisting, plate-like end members or side housings 10,11 having aligned openings 12, in their front edges, a crown 14, and abed comprising plate-like members 15, 1 6, 17, the latter of which formsa scrap chute. The vertical plate-like member 15 is located immediatelyto the rear of and welded to the horizontal plate-like member 16, whichmember in addition to reinforcing the upper edge of the member 5, formsa support or work table for the work. The upper member or crown 14 isgenerally box-shaped in cross section and has its oppositeends welded tothe side housings 10, 11 adjacent to their front upper edges. Webmembers 20, 21, 22 welded to the interior of the member 14 reinforce thesame and the lower ends of the members 20, 21 which extend below therear side of the member 14 form supports for suitable bearings withinwhich a crankshaft 23 is rotatably supported.

The shearing operation is performed by a stationary shearing knife 24located in a cut-out portion at the upper rear corner of the bed and amovable shearing knife 25 connected to the lower front edge of a movableram or blade, designated generally by the reference character B. Themovable ram or upper blade B which extends substantially from one sideof the housing to the other is of built-up construction and comprises alongitudinally extending front plate 26 welded to the front ends ofrearwardly extending end members 27, 28, the rear ends of which arerotatably connected to short, shaft-like members 30, 31 rotatablysupported in suitable apertures in the side housings 10, 11respectively, for rotation about an axis eccentric to the axis aboutwhich the end members 27, 28 are rotatable. The axis about which the ramor blade B is pivoted is preferably slightly above the plane of the worksupporting surface of the bed.

In addition to the front plate 26 and the end members or plates 27, 28,the upper blade or ram B comprises a plate 32 extending between andwelded to the end members 27, 28 and a bottom plate 33 having anupwardly extending rear flange 34. The front edge of the bottom plate 33abuts against and is welded to the rear side of the plate 32 adjacent tothe lower edge thereof and the ends of the bottom plate are welded tothe end members- 3 of the plate 26 is inclined lengthwise so that theknives will effect a true shearing action.

The front end of the ram or movable blade B is supported and the entireblade assembly is adapted to be oscillated aboutthe shafts 30, 31 bypitrnans 46, v47,

the upper ends of which are operatively connected to eccentrics on thecrankshaft 23. "The lower ends of the pitmans are connected to shortshafts fixed in opposite ends 'of the bladeB. The rotation of thecrankshaft 23""is effected and controlled to reciprocate the fa n' orblade B in one' or more complete shearing strokes by an electricmotor'48 adjustably secured to the back of the crown 14and'operatively'connected to "the crankshaft by means including a clutchwhich is controlled in 'syn chronism with a brake mechanism in such a.manner, as will be presently described, that when the operating pedal ofan electric control switch 51 isdepressed arid immediately released, thecrankshaft makes one. complete revolution but will continue to rotate aslong as the pedal.

is depressed. As shown, the weight of the movable bladeBiscounterbalanced by adjustable compression.sprihgs,' 'one at eitherend of the ram, located within tubular hous-' ings 52, 53 fixed to thecrown member 14.

The shears shown lower edge of a hold-down plate 55 suspended from theforward arms of bell crank levers 56,0nly one of which. appears in thedrawings, the rear arms of which levers are provided with rollersadapted to engage cams on the crankshaft 23. The levers 56 arecontinuously: urgedlin' a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, toengage the rollers thereon with the camson the crankshaft by suit ablecompression springs 58"interposed ther'ebetween and the top of the crownmember 14.

, V motor 43 is connected by ajv flexible drive jconnection'desig'natedgenerally as 61 to" a grooved pulleyor flywheel 63 rotatably supportedon a shaft 64, which shaft is in turn rotatably supported in The rotorshaft ofth motor 48, is journalled'onshaft 64 by'anti riction beaij ings69 which provide free relative rotatijc'qri between: the

flywheel and shaft, and the flywheel is adapted to be] connected anddisconnected with the shaft 64 from which the crankshaft 23 is rotatedand the movable blade l3 oscillated by a power. friction disk clutchdesignated generally by the reference character 70.

The clutch'70 is a spring released, fluid pressureactuated clutch withthe pressure fluid being supplied thereto through a conduit 71 connectedto a bore in the shaft 64 which'leads to a piston member actuated toengage the clutch when fluid pressure is. supplied thereto. The pressurefluid supplied through the conduit 71 also actuates a brake mechanism-72for holding the shaft 64 against rotation to a released position. Thebrake mechanism 72 is located on the shaft 64 outwardly' of the endmember and is spring 'biased to an engaged po "-f tion to preventrotation: of the shaft andjis'actuate'c'l to also include a plurality ofsplingloaded, hold-down devices 54 detachably bolted to the.

assesses to theclutch and brake mechanism untilthe switch 75 V isopened. The switch 75 is opened once during each revolution of thecrankshaft 23 and therefore theclutch will be disengaged and the brakeengaged after the crankshaft has made one complete revolution unless thepedal is maintained depressed. The control circuit'will bedescribed inmore detail hereinafter. The material to be severedis fed between theknives 24, and the portion of the material in front of the knives issupported on the member 16 of the press bed while the portion extendingrearwardly. of the knives and between the'end plates 10, 11 is supportedby a tabie 77. The table 77 is disposed between the'end members 10, 11and extendsfrom a point adjacent the movable knives 25 to the rear ofthe press, the top of the table being disposed at the level of the bedmember 16.

,LA gauge mechanism C for gauging the section of material to be severedis carried by the flange 34 of the plate 7 .33 of the. ram and isdisposed immediately above the table 77. The gauge mechanism includes agauge mem ber 81 extending parallel to the knife and is'adjustabletoward and away from the knives 24, 25 by the operation of a'hand crank82 fixed to one end of a shaft 83 supported a: disengaged position toallow rotationof shaftj64iand, in turn, the rotation of crankshaft '23,when pressure fluid is supplied through, the conduit. 71.- 'The' supplyof fluid pressure is'under the control of the operating, pedal 50 of theelectric control switch 51, and when the pedal is depressed, pressurefluid is supplied, to the brake and clutch mechanism torespectively'releaseahd 51 E585? the mechanisms. when the pedal isdepressed'and re leased, a circuit is completed through a man; switch tooperate a solenoid valve 76 to supply pressure by the ram B andextending transversely of .the press. The shaft 83 is operativelyconnected to a pair of parallel'le ad screws 84, see Fig. 5, to rotatethe latter upon rotation offthe shaft 83 by the handcrank. The leadScrews 8 e te d pe pendi ul r y to the kn ves, 24, 2S l'd' rot t e of cus th m v ent of. carri ge. 131901.635 wh c upp r h gauge membe .1-. Thecarriage blocks move toward or t' r rd ends o he s af .2 for ngularmove;

rrient with respect thereto and at their rearward. ends by.

the. same as that shownfand described in, Doha Patent. 2,520,495 andreference is made thereto} for those de,-.

tails of construction' and operation not shown or described herein.Suffice it to say that'the gauge member .1 d s a l qw td. and aw yj romyhe kniv s ,.v

5 de ermin the en h of. the. evrd. s :.tion, the. 1

er a tcfheis s eing, e fr m he. b m mber. Pit and b een. i i ss' 2. 5.:an against he gaugemember 81 prior to the severing stroke. The

b e supno s th c pns matsr alfb w enthe stationaijy knife 24 and thegauge 81 and facilitates the.

gauging of material which would inorrnally flex or bend undet'j its ownweight. The table 77 is comprised of aplurality of transverse rollers9ll supported between spaced side plates 91, 92. The upper peripheriesof the rollers define a horizontal tablejjsurface at the level of theupper edge of "the station. ary knife 24 and eachof the rollersis;pro.vided with. a shaft 93'which. is journalled at its oppositeendsin the side plates 91, 92 and which extends "outwardly of the sideplate"91.- The outer end of each of the shafts 93v has asprocket 3'4.fixed thereto, the sprockets 9.4 meshing with a drivech'ain 9S'driven ina, manner described; hereinafter. Theside plates191;QZaresupportedfattheirends rea rnovable standthat comprises spaced vertical plates97,

98 which support the shaft 96 and which aredisposed outwardly ofthesideplates. 91, 92 respectivelyand are ;a :fluid coupling mounted'ona base' 'plate 100 Thebasc plate, 10 is,

nd supports. a motor lol'for. driv mounted on, wheels a 101: has, its.ro o output shaft 103 operatlvely connected by a belt: drive 105'. todrive asleeve 106, rotata V away from the knives, and are guided in ther movement by slides 86 supportedv bly supported. 0. t e; shaft. 96

.the movable ram B jacent the knife 24 to deflect the same as the blademoves a outwardly of the vertical plate 97. The sleeve 106, in turn, isconnected by a belt drive 108 to drive the shaft 93 of the end roller 90adjacent the shaft 96. The described drive to the rollers 90 permits therollers and the side plates 91, 92 to be moved about the axis of shaft96 without interfering with the drive to the chain 95 since the sleeve106 which functions as the driven member of the belt drive 108 alsorotates about the axis of shaft 96.

The rollers 99 are normally held in a gauging position where the topsthereof define a table level with the knife 24 by a fluid pressurecylinder element 110 having a cylinder chamber member 111 pivotallyconnected to a lug 112 on the base plate 163 and a piston rod 113pivotally connected at its outer end to the movable table. The cylinderelement 110 isof the double acting type and has a conduit 115 forcommunicating with the cylinder chamber on one side of the piston, theupper side thereof as the cylinder is viewed in Fig. 3, and a conduit116 communicating with the cylinder chamber on the other side of thepiston. When pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinder through conduit116 and the conduit 115 connected to drain, the piston therein movesupwardly to raise the table to its position for supporting materialbeing gauged against the gauge member 81 and when the conduit 116 isconnected to drain the end of the table adjacent the knife 24 will dropand the table will angularly move around the axis of shaft 96. Thedropping of the table may be effected by the weight thereof butpreferably fluid pressure is supplied through the conduit 115. Inaddition to fluid pressure and the weight of the table,

may engage the end of the table addownwardly.

The deflecting position of the table is shown in dot-dash lines in Fig.3 and the table is in one mode of operation of the illustrated machine,maintained in this position, after a severing operation has occurred aperiod of time sufficient to permit the section of severed materialthereon to move past the auge member 81.

The connection of the cylinder 110 to the source of pressure fluid andto drain and the energization of motor 161 to rotate the rollers 99 areeffected in a predetermined relationship to the movement of the knife 25through its shearing structure.

The operation of the table 77 is under the control of the pedal 59 and aselector switch 120 located on the machine in an accessible spot andshown on the circuit diagram of Fig. 6. The selector switch 128 is, inthe illustrated machine, a four-position switch having the followingposition: Off, Automatic Discharge, Trim and Return Feed, designatedrespectively by the reference charcters O, D, E, and F. When theselector switch is in the Automatic Discharge D position, depression ofthe pedal 54) will cause the movable knife 25 to be actuated through asingle stroke and simultaneously with the actuation of the knife, fluidpressure is supplied to the cylinder chamber member 111 through theconduit 115 and the conduit 116 is connected to drain, causing thecylinder element to operate to drop the table 77 to its dischargeposition. The circuit for controlling the supply of fluid pressure tothe cylinder element 113 includes a time delay relay shown in thecircuit diagram of Fig. 6 which functions to maintain the table 77 in adepressed position for a predetermined length-of time after itsde-energization to enable the rollers 7t) to discharge the severedsection of material thereon past the gauge member 81. After this periodof time, fluid pressure is supplied to the cylinder element 11% throughthe conduit 116 to cause the table to return to its horizontal gaugingposition where it is level with the bed member 116. Interlocking meansis preferably provided to prevent a subsequent actuation of the shearprior to the return of the table 77.

When the selector switch is set in its Trim position E, depression ofthe pedal 59 will actuate the movable blade 25 through a single stroke,simultaneously drop the table and start the rollers 98, and return thetable immediately upon the completion of the severing stroke. In theReturn Feed position F of the selector switch, the table is dropped witheach shearing stroke and immediately returned and the power drivenrollers are operable in a reverse direction to move material thereontoward the knives 24, 25 when the table is in its horizontal position bythe actuation of a switch 123. With the selector in its F position andwith the back gauge disposed in a rearward position and lifted, materialmay be fed by power from the back of the press against a front stop.

A simplified control circuit for the shear is shown in Fig. 5 and thepedal operated switch 51, the limit switch 75, the selector switch 120,and the roller reversing switch 123 are shown schematically therein.Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that when the selector switch 120is in its automatic discharge position D, the actuation of the footpedal switch 51 completes a circuit to energize a relay FF havingnormally open contacts FPl, FP2, FP3, FP4.

The contacts Fll complete a holding circuit through the limit switch 75to maintain the relay FP energized until the limit switch 75 is openedupon the completion of a single revolution of the crankshaft in responseto the actuation of the switch 51. The contacts FPZ, FP3, FP4,

of the relay PP are respectively in circuit for energizing relays AD, T,and LG, and when closed complete a circuit to the respective relayprovided the selector switch 120 is set in a position conditioning therelay for energization. Assuming that the selector switchis set in its,

Automatic Discharge position, the actuation of relay FP energizes the ADrelay to close its normally open contacts ADl, AD2. The contacts AD1complete a circuit for energizing the solenoid valve 76 for supplyingpressure fluid to engage the clutch mechanism of the press.

and maintains the supply of pressure fluid as long as the relay AD isenergized. The closing of the contacts AD2 upon actuation of the relayAD completes a circuit for energizing a relay TD which picks upimmediately upon energization but which drops out only after apredetermined time after de-energization. The relay TD has normally opencontacts TDl, TDZ, which are closed when the relay is actuated, andwhich respectively complete circuits for causing the operation of thetable 77 and of the rollers 9% in a forward direction. The contacts TD1are in series with a solenoid valve 125 for controlling the supply ofair to the cylinder element and when the latter is energized fluidpressure is supplied to the element through conduit and the conduit 116connected to drain While, when the solenoid valve is tie-energized, theconnections are reversed. The solenoid valve may be one of any of thecommercially available valves which will operate in the manner describedand therefore is not herein shown or described in detail. The contactsTD2 of the relay TD are in series with and complete a circuit upon theirclosing for energizing a motor control relay 126 which effects operationof the motor 191 in a forward direction.

From the circuit as thus far described, it may be seen that when theselector switch is in its Automatic Discharge position D and the footpedal switch 51 actuated, the movable blade 25 is actuated through asevering stroke, the motor 161 is started and rotates the rollers 9b ina forward direction to discharge severed material, and the table 77 isdropped to a discharge position and returned with a predetermined timedelay. It will be noted that a holding circuit is completed as soon asthe crankshaft moves sufliciently to actuate the limit switch 75 to aclosed position and at this time the foot pedal switch 51 can bereleased. Upon release of the foot pedal switch 51 the operation of theshear is under the control of the limit switch 75 and when the latter issub sequently again opened the crankshaft is disconnected from themovable blade and the relay TD is de-energized and opens after apredetermined time delay to break the circuits for energizing theforward relay 126 for the motor 101-and the solenoid valve for supplyingpressure fluid to the eylinder element 111 through the conduit 115. The.

time'd'ela'y in the operation of the relay ID is such that the rollers90 will have sufficient time to cause the discharge ofseveredmaterial-thereon p'astthe'gauge member :81 before the table 77 isreturned to it's horizontal ing circuit for the relay FF is broken thesolenoid valve for the table 77 and the solenoid for the shear will beimmediately moved to the de-energizedposition to stop the crankshaftrotation after one revolution and to return the'table77 to itshorizontal gaugingposition. I

When the selector switch .121); is'in its Return Feed position F, theclosing of relay FP in response'to actuation of the pedal switch 51causes closing of the normally open contacts LGl energizes the solenoidvalve 76 for actuating the shear, and the closing of the contacts L62causes the energization of the solenoid valve 125 to. drop the table.When the selector switch is in its Return Feed position, the circuit isarranged so that the rollers 90 may be operated in arev'erse directionwhenever the table 77 is in its horizontal gauging position. The controlfor actuating the motor 101 in its reverse direction includes a reverserelay 130 and a circuit for energizing the latter, including a tableenergization of relay LG. having normally, open contacts L61, L62 andLG3. The

' gauge member.

the shear may be selectively operated as a back feedwhere the materialthereon may be discharged past the The table is maintained in thedischarge position for a sufiicient length of time to permit thematerial to be-discharged and is then returned to a gauging positionwhere, in-the illustrated embodimennit is on a level with the bedof theshear. The 'con'trol circuit for the illustrated shear is so arrangedthat the shear cannot be actuated, when" the circuit is conditioned foroperation in an automatic manner, until the table has been returned.Furthermore, the circuit is so arranged-that shear orto the trim severedsheets;

While the preferred form of described in considerable detail, it'will beapparent that the invention is not limited to the jconstructions shownor the uses referred to and it is my intention to cover hereby .alladaptations, modifications, and changes which I come within the practiceof those skilled in the art to limit switch 131 which is closed when thetable-is in its a horizontal gauging position, the push button switch123 and the normally open contacts L63, connected in series.

It can be seen from the circuit that if the'relay LG is energized toclose the contacts LG3 and the 'table77' is ina horizontal positionwherein the limit switch 131 is closed, the switch 123 may be actuatedto energize the motor 161 to operate the rollers in a reverse direc-'tion.

Preferably the control circuit is arranged in such a manner that themovable knife cannot be actuated a second time, when the selector switchis in its Automatic Discharge position, until the table 77 is returned.To this end, the relay TD is provided with normally closed contacts TDSwhich are connected in series with the pedal switch 51. The contacts TDSrender the switch 51 ineffective as long as the TD relay is in anactuated position.

It is also to be noted that the table 77 extends to a point where it isin the path of the blade B and that it is necessary to deflect the tableto permit the severing operation, regardless of whether or not thesevered material is to be discharged past the gauge member 81.

It can now be seen that the present invention provides a new andimproved shear press which is extremely flexible and which includes atable for. supporting material extending between the knives of the shearon one hand and a gauge member on the other,'and which supports thematerial being gauged'to prevent theflexing thereof. The table is soconstructed and arranged that when the shear is actuated to sever thegauged-section of material, the table is moved with the movable knife tosupport the material during the cut and is dropped to a dischargeposition which the invention rel'ates an'd the scope of the appendedclaims.

' Having thusdescribed my invention, I claim:

1. In a shear'press having a fixed knife and a cooperating movable knifedisplaced to one side of said fixed knife, power means for actuatingsaid movable knife through a shearing stroke to sever sheet material, amaterial supporting table at said one side of said fixed knife, saidtable having one end disposed adjacent to said knives, pivot means forsupporting the end of said table a remote from the fixed knifeforangularmovement about an axis generally parallel with thejfixed knife,means for normally maintaining said one end of saidptable' substantiallylevel with said fixed knife to support the material,

and means operable to control said power means to effect a shearingstroke and for automatically controlling the last named means to causesaid "oneend of said table to drop below said fixedknife topermitcompletion of t the shearing strokewith a minimum distortion ofsaid material. f 7 7 2. In a shear press having a fixed knife and acooperating movable knife displaced to one side of said fixed knife andconnected to a ram or blade member oscillatable about an axis generallyparallel with the length of the fixed knife and displaced to said onesided said fixed knife, power means for actuating said movable knifethrough a shearing stroke to sever sheet material,

a gauge member disposed to said one side of said stationary knife andagainst which the material to be severed may be abutted to determine thelength of the section severed upon actuation of said movable knife, amaterial supporting table at said one side of said fixed knife, saidtable having one end disposed adjacent to said knives, pivot means forsupporting the end of said table remote from said fixed knife forangular movement about an axis generally parallel with said fixed knife,means for normally maintaining said one end of said table substantiallylevel with said fixed knife to support the material, and means operableto control said power means to effect a shearing stroke and forautomatically controlling the last named means to cause said one end ofsaid table to drop below said fixed knife to permit completion of theshearing stroke'with a minimum distortion of said material.

v 471,324 Naylor Mar. 29, 1892 the invention has been

